My Top 5 Reads of 2009





Sunflowers: A Novel of Vincent Van Gogh by Sheramy Bundrick

My review for Sunflowers is still in progress, but let me summarize it for you real quick:  brilliant, simply BRILLIANT!  This is Miss Bundrick's first novel and I, for one, will be awaiting her future works with anticipation.  Sunflowers is one of those reads that will continue to haunt you long after completing and trust me when I say that you will need to have a HUGE box of Kleenex handy at the end. 



I, Elizabeth by Rosalind Miles

Regular readers of this blog will be familiar with my love of Elizabeth I.  Well, this year I read the BEST book of the Virgin Queen, thanks to the talent of Rosalind Miles.  Miles ingeniously portrays the imperial Elizabeth - from Princess to Good Queen Bess to Gloriana with skill and savvy.

Read my review HERE.




The Greatest Knight by Elizabeth Chadwick

The lovely and charming Elizabeth Chadwick is, IMO, the Queen of Medieval Historical Fiction.  No one does it quite like her!  The Greatest Knight tells the story of William Marshal, one of England's most powerful knight, who served four kings: King Henry II, Richard the Lionheart, King John and Henry III.  Action, love, betrayal and chivalry - The Greatest Knight has it all!

Read my review HERE.



Pope Joan by Donna Woolfolk Cross

In Pope Joan, Donna Woolfolk Cross brings to life an obscure figure in history, a woman whose very existense is still debated to this day.  Joan, disguised as a man, served as Pope John Anglicus during the years 833-835.  Cross' novel is beautifully written and captivating, just like her heroine.

Read my review HERE.




Signora da Vinci by Robin Maxwell

One of the most delicious reads of the year for me was Signora da Vinci, by the equally yummy Robin Maxwell.  Maxwell takes us back to 15th century Italy and depicts the story of Caterina, the mother of Leonardo da Vinci.  My favorite scenes are the ones with Lorenzo de Medici, a.k.a. Lorenzo the Magnificent, who associated with the great minds behind the Italian Renaissance.  Thought provoking and poignant, Signora da Vinci is a must read!

Read me review HERE.



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18 comments:

  1. Sunflowers sounds like one I'll need to get my hands on. I have an interest in famous painters, and I love books that make me cry. (Yes, that may be weird, but it is true.)

    Thanks for sharing your favorites! Hope you find just as many (or more) gems this year in your reading.

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  2. I have Sunflowers and can't wait to start it! Your praise makes me want to read it sooner.

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  3. I just love Vincent Van Gogh's work, so I'll have to add this book to my list of must haves!

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  4. I have to say...I want to read the all.. and I have Signora Da Vinci on my list for 2010. Great picks Amy. I enjoyed all of your reviews on these books this past year.

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  5. Thanks for sharing your top 5 as these are all being added to my TBR list. Sounds like you had a great year of reading in 2009 :)

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  6. All are books I want to read, and I own 3 of them (sunflowers, the greatest knight, and signora da vinci). Hopefully I will get to read them soon.

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  7. Have been waiting for your top reads! I've only read one, but I have plans... :-)

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  8. I can't wait to read Sunflowers. But I do have a copy of Pope Joan floating around somewhere....guess I better get to that!

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  9. I have I, Elizabeth on my list for one of the historical challenges I joined and since I also own Pope Joan, I think I'll add it to my list as well. You are probably the third person that has spoken highly of Pope Joan so I know it has to be a great read.

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  10. I loved Signora DaVinci. I enjoyed Sunflowers but didn't love it. I put Elizabeth I on my TBR, it sounds wonderful!

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  11. Great list. I have heard that Sunflowers is excellent and I am looking forward to reading that. I would love to read Pope Joan as well.

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  12. I've read three of those, and want to read Sunflowers. I have it here. Just need to find time to read it.

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  13. I'd like to read all of the books that you listed here, especially Sunflowers. I do prefer the gentler Impressionists, however, so I'd like to see more novels about them!

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  14. Awesome list!! I want to read every single one of them!

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  15. Some great books here. I also especially enjoyed I, Elizabeth and Pope Joan.

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  16. I bet I would really like I, Elizabeth. I should see if my library has a copy! After I finish The Reader of course... and the books my MiL loaned me over a year ago!

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  17. I haven't read any of these but Pope Joan is on my to-read list. I've heard nothing but good things about that book.

    --Anna
    Diary of an Eccentric

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  18. I loved Pope Joan and will be reading The Greatest Knight soon.

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